Cranbourne Review 2026: Inclusive Community with Specialist Support

Located in the South Ham area of Basingstoke, Cranbourne serves a diverse local community with a clear focus on inclusion and opportunity. As a smaller-than-average secondary school with approximately 900 students, it offers a level of personal attention that larger academies often struggle to match. The school carries a "Good" rating from its 2021 Ofsted inspection, which praised the calm atmosphere and the ambition leaders have for every child. Unusually for a state secondary, Cranbourne hosts a specialized Resourced Provision for students with dyslexia, making it a hub of expertise for specific learning difficulties in Hampshire.

The site itself tells a story of evolution. The campus, which absorbed the students of the former Fort Hill Community School in a well-managed merger several years ago, feels settled and cohesive. The buildings are a mix of mid-century functionalism and modern additions, set within generous grounds that include extensive sports fields.

Ms Sarah Conlon, appointed Headteacher in September 2023 after a period as Acting Head, has brought stability and a clear vision. Her leadership style emphasizes high expectations wrapped in genuine care; she is frequently seen at the gate and in corridors, reinforcing the school's motto of Excellence in Everything.

The atmosphere is structured but friendly. Cranbourne operates a vertical tutoring system within its Houses; Andrew Lloyd Webber, Austen, Thomson, and White; where students from Years 7 to 11 mix in tutor groups. This family-style structure breaks down year-group silos and encourages older students to mentor younger peers, creating a tangible sense of community that visitors often remark upon.

Cranbourne’s academic performance reflects a school that adds value across a broad intake. In 2024, the school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 43.8. The Progress 8 score of -0.13 suggests that students make progress broadly in line with national expectations from their individual starting points.

Ranked 2,661st in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and 4th among secondary schools in Basingstoke, the school’s performance sits in the "national typical" band. This reflects solid performance, in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile).

While the percentage of pupils achieving the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) at grade 5 or above is 5.7%, this figure should be read in the context of the school's broad curriculum which prioritizes vocational and creative options alongside traditional academic subjects.

The curriculum at Cranbourne is designed to be broad rather than narrowly academic. While the core subjects of English, Mathematics, and Science are taught with rigour, there is a deliberate retention of creative and technical subjects that other schools have cut.

Design and Technology is a particular strength, with facilities for food technology, textiles, and resistant materials that see heavy use. The teaching staff includes subject specialists who are passionate about their fields; the science department, for instance, runs an active STEM club that engages students in practical experiments beyond the syllabus.

A defining feature of the school's teaching profile is the Resourced Provision for Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia). This specialist unit supports students with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) who have severe dyslexia. The expertise from this unit diffuses throughout the main school, meaning mainstream teachers are better equipped than most to support neurodiverse learners in standard classes. Strategies such as dyslexia-friendly fonts and multi-sensory teaching methods are commonplace across departments.

Cranbourne is an 11-16 school, meaning students move on after GCSEs. The school has strong links with local post-16 providers. The majority of students progress to Queen Mary’s College (QMC) for A-levels or Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT) for vocational courses.

The careers guidance programme is robust, beginning in Year 7. By Year 11, every student receives one-to-one guidance to ensure they have a clear pathway. In recent years, the school has seen a healthy number of students securing competitive apprenticeships with local engineering and technology firms, reflecting Basingstoke’s industrial profile.

Admissions are coordinated by Hampshire County Council. Cranbourne is a popular choice and was oversubscribed for the most recent intake, receiving 417 applications for its Year 7 places. With a subscription proportion of 1.73 applications per place, competition is healthy but not insurmountable compared to some selective schools.

The Published Admission Number (PAN) is typically 180. Oversubscription criteria prioritize looked-after children, siblings of current students, and then distance from the school.

The Resourced Provision (Dyslexia Unit) has a separate admissions process. Places here are allocated by the local authority specifically for children with an EHCP where this provision is named; gaining a place in the main school does not guarantee access to the Resourced Provision.

Pastoral care is anchored in the House system. The vertical tutor groups mean that a tutor stays with a student throughout their five years, often getting to know families well. This continuity provides a safety net; if a student’s behaviour or mood changes, it is noticed quickly by a member of staff who knows them.

The school employs non-teaching Pastoral Support Assistants (PSAs) who are available throughout the day to deal with immediate issues, ensuring that teachers can focus on teaching. Bullying is taken seriously; the 2021 Ofsted report noted that students feel safe and that staff deal with incidents effectively when they arise.

Mental health support includes access to school counsellors and emotional literacy support assistants (ELSAs), reflecting an understanding that academic success relies on emotional stability.

Cranbourne offers an impressive range of facilities for a state school, most notably an indoor swimming pool. This facility allows swimming to be part of the PE curriculum for all students, a rarity in secondary education, and hosts clubs and community groups.

The extracurricular list is extensive. Sport is a major pillar, with teams fielded in football, netball, rugby, and athletics. The "Cranbourne Catch Up" programme offers academic support, while clubs like the Lego Robotics Club and the Coding Club cater to technical interests.

The performing arts are vibrant. The drama studios and music practice rooms are busy at lunchtimes, and the annual school production is a fixture in the calendar, involving dozens of students on stage and in technical roles. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is offered and is popular, with students regularly completing Bronze and Silver expeditions in the Hampshire countryside.

This is a state school with no tuition fees. All education materials and core activities are funded by the government. Parents are expected to fund the uniform and voluntary contributions may be requested for residential trips or specific extracurricular activities.

The school day runs from 8:30am to 3:00pm. The site is located in Wessex Close, accessible via local bus routes serving Basingstoke. There is ample bicycle storage for students who cycle.

Uniform is strictly enforced, consisting of a navy blazer with the school logo, house tie, and grey trousers or skirt. The school maintains a "pre-loved" uniform shop to assist families with costs.

No Sixth Form. Students must move institutions at 16. While transition support is excellent, families looking for an 11-18 continuity will not find it here.

Mixed Ability Intake. As a true comprehensive, classes include a wide range of abilities. While setting is used in core subjects, parents of highly academic children should engage with the school to understand how high-attaining students are stretched.

Dyslexia Focus. The presence of the Resourced Provision is a significant asset, but families should understand that specialist places are limited and controlled by the Local Authority, not the school directly.

Merger History. While the merger with Fort Hill is now several years in the past, the school draws from a wider catchment than it once did. Transport and travel times may be a factor for families joining from the further reaches of the catchment area.

Cranbourne is a school that knows its community and serves it well. It balances a "Good" academic standard with genuine pastoral warmth and specialist expertise in learning support. The inclusion of a swimming pool and the vertical house system adds distinct value to the student experience. Best suited to families seeking a supportive, inclusive environment where staff know every child by name, particularly those who value technical and creative breadth alongside the academic core.